The Sunday herald., 1887-01-23

prime--T never touch 'em myself" he added
hastily; "no more does Smut. Come here,
sirl" as the dog snuffed longingly at the
parcel still lying unopened on the girls lap.
She looked helplessly from the parcel TO
the boy and back at the parcel again, and
then the room rang with her merry laugh
Thank you,' she said as soon as she
could speak. "t--t will look at them pres
emily. Wll yod put theti In Tie fcHdet-
for the presentY'
Tim experienced q vague feeling OF disap-
pointment as he silently obeyed. He had
hoped to have the pleasure OF seeing her eat
these potatoes, for which he and Smut had
gone breakfastless this bitter morning, and
her laughter had panied without enlighten-
ing him. He was almost glad when at
length she told him that he might go, for he
did not feel at ease In her presence to-day"
"Here is your money!" she said. ut Is
six-pence this morning. | forgot TO pay you
yesterday"
"Keer it," he raid avkwardly. "iteep IL
till ask fur it. 1 don't wait thfipertb d
day no longer. I'll ask fur II when want
IT,"
"You want TO save II up, till IL gets big
| sumS' she questioned carelessly. "You are
going TO buy something with iti'
"Yes," he said eagerly; "thats II. I'm
| agoin' to buy something"
Every well then, I will keep IL for you
safely" she returned, replacing the money
| in her purse.
"And Il ask fur IL when I want IT," he
repeated earnestly. "You'll know as don't
want II If don't ask fur It,"
Tim had never found II easy 10 pick up
his scanty living, and the effort had been
greater than ever Of late. His small face re-
gained its old, halfstatved look as the days
passed ON, but he bdte himself braveiy III
the presence OF The girl for whom he WAS
| sacrificing so much, and she never noticed
the change in him.
She told him one morning that she should
not need him after that week, for the finish
ing touches were now all that the painting re.
quired. He received the news In silence, and for
the few remaining days went about sadly,
treasuring up every careless word that she
uttered. His affection for Smut, too, seemed
to deepen as the week drew to its close, and
it was with passionate misery that he talked
to the dog as he washed him that Saturday
morning.
at amt cos don't love you, Smut" he
said with sob. "You know that. ole man,
don't you And you won't forget me, ,ciN
you, Smut? P'rapsI shall see you in the
street some day, ole chap. shall come and
look at the 'ouse constant"
His little face was pale and set as he
entered the studio. and there was strained
look in the wide blue eyes as he took his
place before the window. The light fell
softly upon the ragged figure, upon the warm
tinted hair, the rigid features; and the girl
sitting near at hand saw 1t all, and felt only
an artistic pleasure in her model. Hts
poverty, his wretchedness, were nothing to
her; he had fulfilled the service she re-
quired of him, and would pass forever out of
her life when he left her room to-day.
"You said once as you felt lonesome at
times," he said at last, his eyes fixed ear
nestly on the window.
EYES," she agreed carelessly. at is
rather lonely up here.'
He was silent again, looking steadily at
the little patch of sky visible above the roofs
of the houses opposite.
"Smut's very good dog" he continued
presently. "He amt pertickler neither
anything as is agoin' does for Smut aud he s
that patient when you're ont o. luck ''
He seems an inoAensivs little dog" she
allowed, glancing at the terrier as he lay
under the window. "Why, how white he
looks tO-day!"
"Been washed, - exclaimed the boy briefly.
"H.'s handsome dog, is smut-when he's
clean"
"There, l think I'have done with you
now," she said after a long silence. "You
have been very good boy, Tim, and the
picture is a great success"
He descended from the platform slowly,
and stood twisting his cap in his hands
while his lips twitched nervously.
"You can keep him, ifyou like" he said
awkwardly. "He's very good company
Snutis."
"Kesp him ?'' she echoed carelessly. "But
In,S hi
NO." he answered slowly. I-I'm tired
O. Smut"
Sin that case hs can stay" she returned
indiferently. 81 dare say he will not be
much trouble"
'He amt a bit o. trouble" said the boy
wistfully. "And he's very afectonate."
"Well, he can stay,'' she said. sand
here's your money, Tim ; quite large sum
now, isn't itf"
"I-I don't want it," he returned hastily
81 said as how I'd ask fur it when wanted
it,"
"But you are not coming any more, yor
know. have flushed with you now."
81 amt got no place to put it to-" h,
said. "I'm sure to lose it If take il
away"
"Well, call for 1t when you want it," she
suggested. "Then you can see Smut"
"Yes," he echoed with a strange smile
"then shall see Smut"
He took the dog in his arms aud smoothet
the rough, white coat with tender fingers.
"Smut knows as he's got TO stay" b,
said, plaYing the little creature on the floor
I'll call for the money when want it,
He stood In the doorway for moment
taking last, lingering look at the doJ
trembling in the corner-at the girl as sh,
sat there impatiently waiting for him to 60
and then with short, dry sob, he Wen
slowly down the stesp staircase and out into
the wintry strset.-B. a. Key in Longman'
Magdzine.